According to data released by the Central Bank of Iran on Saturday, private banks accounted for more than half of the total loans (19.5 trillion rials) paid to innovative firms last year, with Bank Saderat Iran and Bank Mellat standing at the top. Private and state-owned lenders accounted for respectively 29% and 19% of total payments. The NPL ratio of knowledge-based firms was 16.1% by the end of the previous fiscal year. CBI has recorded 7.4 trillion rials ($172.8 million) as delayed payments from 140 firms by March 20, 2018, according to Financial Tribune.